Liberty University Identity
Identity, according to Santrock (2012), is “Who a person is, representing a synthesis and integration of self-understanding” (p. 140). One of the theorists in this area was Erik Erikson. Erikson believed the two parts to identity is “personality and role expermentation” (Santrock, 2012, p. 141). Santrock (2012) believed identity had several parts, including the following: work path, political views, marital status, motivation, personality, body image, and religious beliefs (p. 141). Basically, life itself, shapes our identity. That includes society, as well as ones parents.
The importance of identity development is “that for the first time, physical, cognitive, and socioemotional development advance to the point at which the individual can sort through and synthesize childhood identities and identifications to construct a visible path toward adult maturity” (Santrock, 2012, p. 142). That was definetly a mouth full. More simply put, the emerging individual is capable of forming perceptions for “Who am I?” (Santrock, 2012, p. 142). Santrock (2012) believed “An individual who develops a healthy identity is flexible and adaptive, open to changes in society, in relationships, and in careers” (p. 142). Most things in life flow better, when people are flexible and understanding.
As for religion mirroring psychological identity, anyone can interpret a biblical narrative as they want. According to Fee and Stuart (2003), people “read into a biblical narrative suggestions or ideas that come from contemporary culture that are simultaneously foregin to the narrator’s purpose and contradictory to his point of view” (p. 104). People are bad to pick and choose “specific words and phrases” that help their point of view (Fee & Stuart, 2003, p. 103). One cannot study Psychology without understanding the Word. The bible says, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Gen. 1:27, King James Version).
The importance of identity development is “that for the first time, physical, cognitive, and socioemotional development advance to the point at which the individual can sort through and synthesize childhood identities and identifications to construct a visible path toward adult maturity” (Santrock, 2012, p. 142). That was definetly a mouth full. More simply put, the emerging individual is capable of forming perceptions for “Who am I?” (Santrock, 2012, p. 142). Santrock (2012) believed “An individual who develops a healthy identity is flexible and adaptive, open to changes in society, in relationships, and in careers” (p. 142). Most things in life flow better, when people are flexible and understanding.
As for religion mirroring psychological identity, anyone can interpret a biblical narrative as they want. According to Fee and Stuart (2003), people “read into a biblical narrative suggestions or ideas that come from contemporary culture that are simultaneously foregin to the narrator’s purpose and contradictory to his point of view” (p. 104). People are bad to pick and choose “specific words and phrases” that help their point of view (Fee & Stuart, 2003, p. 103). One cannot study Psychology without understanding the Word. The bible says, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Gen. 1:27, King James Version).
References: Fee, G. D., & Stuart, D. K. (2003). How to read the bible for all its worth. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. Santrock, J. W. (2012). Adolescence. New York, NY: McGraw Hill.